‘How dare you make such a proposition! Come now, Susan, you have heard the old adage beginning, “Life is short.”’
‘Yes, but I don’t believe it. And besides—no; don’t stir. And besides—you are coming nearer.’
‘It is all your fault if I am. You are behaving so disgracefully. The idea of your mentioning a year. I shall appeal to your father.’
‘I am certain he won’t hear of it at all. He—oh, there, you are coming closer again.’
‘Susan,’ says Crosby sternly, ‘enough of this. I’ll stand no more of it. You shan’t keep me at arm’s length any longer.’
‘I? What had I to do with it?’ says Susan, arching her charming brows.
After which it takes only a moment to have the arm in question round her again, and to have her drawn into it—a most willing captive.
‘Do you remember when you made me promise I would never steal anything again?’ asks Crosby, after an eloquent pause.
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I have broken that promise.’